Residents and police have been in talks about such a gesture for some time but the need to remove a tree near the police station entrance sped up the process.

Murray River Police District Superintendent Evan Quarmby joined elders and members of the Police Aboriginal Consultative Committee to unfurl the new flags for the first time on Monday.

“This has been something we’ve been working on with PACC for years and it’s now been pushed to the point we’re ready to go and proud to have them up now,” he said. 

Aaron Perkins-Kemp-Berger, who has been attending quarterly PACC meetings for five years, said it was a significant step for the advisory group and the Indigenous community.

“It’s recognising not only the relationships but the land,” he said.

“When I saw them unfurl it was very emotional – you only see those flags usually on government buildings, so to see them at a police station is impressive.

“There’s issues with the Indigenous population here and police, as there is anywhere else, but they’re slowly coming good.

“People who’ve had bad experiences are coming to trust police and we’ve still got a fair way to go, but we’re moving forward with our relationships.”